The landscape of drug testing has seen a considerable change now that the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana is legalized in many states. While it’s true that many businesses still have a “zero-tolerance” attitude toward drug testing, more and more are giving up on cannabis drug tests.
However, many people want to pass a drug test or simply detox but they’re not sure of what’s true or not. Unfortunately, many make some wrong decisions when they are in a rush to pass upcoming drug tests. Examples include consuming useless detox products, toxic substances, and diluting their urine.
In this article, we will explore the myths and facts of THC detox because there is a ton of misinformation out there that might be confusing.
What is THC Detox?
THC detox is the process of quitting marijuana use in order to remove all cannabinoids and terpenes from your body. Many believe that THC can leave your system in a day but this is not the case as THC metabolites can stay in the body for up to 30 days following inhalation or consumption.
The degree of cannabis usage ranks highly among the variables that affect how long the process takes to complete. Note that the detox process may have unpleasant side effects, including irritation, anxiety, depression, insomnia, decreased appetite, and headaches.
Let’s now see the myths and facts about THC detox.
Myth #1: There is a specific period of time for cannabis to leave your body
Fact: Unfortunately, it is impossible to gauge exactly how long THC will last in your bloodstream. The THC will most likely disappear within one to three days, although this time frame is not guaranteed.
The following periods of time are what a person might anticipate cannabis will remain in their body, according to American Addiction Centers:
- 90 days for hair
- 3 days to a month or more for urine
- 48 hours for saliva
- 36 hours for blood
In addition to these numbers, a 2017 study found that cannabis may remain in sweat for seven to fourteen days.
The main factors that affect the length of time that cannabis remains in the body are the strain of cannabis a person uses, how they consume it, the amount of THC they use, metabolism and body weight, and eating habits.
Myth #2: Drink lots of water
Fact: Water can lower the number of THC metabolites in your urine but too much water consumption will raise suspicions in a drug test.
Drinking more water is good for your overall health, which is sometimes not the case with unregulated products like detox kits and tablets. However, detox drinks and kits can aid with vitamin replenishment but cannot guarantee success.
Myth #3: Cranberry juice, pickle juice, and vinegar help in THC detox
Fact: There have been rumors that pickle juice, vinegar, and cranberry juice can aid in detoxification, but these products won’t really clean your body from THC. And, regarding the theory that drinking undiluted bleach may help for passing a urine test, don’t even think of trying!
Myth #4: Synthetic urine for drug testing
Fact: There are numerous businesses that sell fake urine but many merchants are being dishonest, despite their claims that they have accurately matched the chemical composition of human urine.
Instead of being produced inside of your body, synthetic urine is actually a combination of isolated elements that make up the real thing.
While it is theoretically possible to perfectly synthesize and imitate urine, in reality, this only fools the “naked eye.” Modern urinalysis methods are so sophisticated that it would be practically impossible for labs not to detect fake urine.
Myth #5: Detox products
Fact: Many products promise to remove cannabis from the system but detoxes don’t work for most types of drug tests. These items come in tablet, capsule, mouthwash, and shampoo form.
Detox products and drinks don’t actually remove THC from the body or urine when it comes to passing a drug test. Instead, they alter the laboratory result by adding vitamins and proteins like creatinine to the urine sample.
Myth #6: Intense exercise for fast THC detox
Fact: Less fat cells indicate fewer THC leftovers because our systems store THC in fat cells.Workouts that burn fat and boost the metabolism, like cardio and weight training, speed up the detoxification of THC. It is not, however, a magic card for a quick THC detox. It can aid in passing, but only if done consistently and sufficiently in advance.
Myth #7: Diuretics for flushing toxins from your body
Fact: Diuretics are substances that enhance the flow and production of urine. These include detox drinks, medications like Lasix or Midol, as well as coffee, tea, beer, cranberry juice, etc.
The thing is that diuretics can help you get rid of toxins and lower the number of metabolites in your urine, but do not eliminate THC.
Even though we all enjoy a quick fix, quitting cannabis for at least 30 days might be the only way to ensure that THC won’t show up on a drug test.
In conclusion, although a marijuana detox may appear difficult it will benefit both your body and mind. Avoiding common myths and changing your lifestyle to a healthy one is the best you can do for an efficient THC detox. Keep in mind that the best detox is a natural one!